14 APRIL 2002

Aston Villa (0) 0
Leeds United (1) 1 (Viduka 30)

Leeds keep up their European challenge with a narrow win over Aston Villa to
move to within a point of fifth placed Chelsea. Mark Viduka scored the only goal
with a sublime piece of skill. He collected a pass from Robbie Keane, beat his
man in the area and prodded past Enckelman.


Charlton (1) 1 (Rufus 16)
Southampton (0) 1 (Rufus (og) 85)

A mid-table, end of season clash ended all square at the Valley. Richard Rufus
was the unlikely first goalscorer when he nodded a Jason Euell long throw over
the line, despite the efforts of Jason Dodd to hack the ball away to safety.
However, the defender also had a hand in Saints late equaliser, as Tahar El
Khalej's header struck Rufus on the torso before finding the net.


Derby (0) 2 (Christie 46, Morris 53)
Newcastle (0) 3 (Robert 73, Dyer 76, Lua-Lua 89)

Newcastle produced an amazing second half comeback to recover from a two
goal deficit to beat struggling Derby. The hosts took the lead when Malcolm
Christie slotted in Lee Morris's cross, and within nine minutes, Morris doubled
the lead, volleying Warren Barton's cross into the net via the post. With
seventeen minutes to go, Laurent Robert pulled one back with a brilliantly struck
free kick that ripped past Andy Oakes at the near post, and three minutes later,
Kieron Dyer equalised at close range from Nol Solano's cross. With stoppage time
close, Lomana Lua-Lua scored his first ever Newcastle goal, also at close range
from a Solano cross, to clinch the points and send Newcastle nearer to the
Champions League. Derby cannot afford any more slips as they remain seven
points from safety with three games left.


Everton (0) 2 (Chadwick 65, Ferguson 87)
Leicester (2) 2 (Deane 19, 27)

Everton also found a remarkable comeback as they came from two down at
home to already relegated Leicester. Brian Deane gave the visitors a half time
cushion, firstly when he scored from the edge of the area after Robbie Savage
had picked him out in space, and then rolling the ball home after Alan Stubbs
and keeper Paul Gerrard had got into an almighty mix-up. Sub Nick Chadwick
pulled a goal back, heading home a cross from Thomas Gravesen, and with time
running out, Duncan Ferguson equalised when he scored from close range from
David Unsworth's free kick into the area.


Sunderland (0) 0
Liverpool (0) 1 (Owen 55)
RED CARD: Reyna (Sunderland) 89

Liverpool move into second place thanks to a fine goal from Michael Owen early
in the second half. The England striker produced a superb first time lob over
Sorensen having been sent clear by Steven Gerrard's excellent pass. Sunderland
are still not out of danger at the bottom and were reduced to ten men when
Claudio Reyna caught Owen with a stomach high tackle.


Tottenham (0) 1 (Sheringham 53)
West Ham (0) 1 (Pearce 89)

Honours even in the London derby after a goal each in the second half. Teddy
Sheringham gave the home side the lead, tapping home after David James had
saved by Steffan Iversen, however Ian Pearce scored a spectacular late
equaliser, crashing a shot into the roof of net from 25 yards after Spurs failed
to clear their lines.


Gary Dowden
Chief Editor SoccerAge UK
http://www.soccerage.com
gary@soccerage.com
garydowden@blueyonder.co.uk